Energy-Efficient Handover Algorithm for Sustainable Mobile Networks: Balancing Connectivity and Power Consumption

• Published in: Journal of sensor and actuator networks 2024-10, Vol.13 (5), p.51
• Main Authors: Abdullah, Radhwan M., Al-Surmi, Ibrahim, Qaid, Gamil R. S., Alwan, Ali A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Batteries; battery life extension; Connectivity; connectivity optimization; Decision making; Decisions; Electronic devices; Energy conservation; Energy consumption; Energy efficiency; Energy management; Energy management systems; Energy use; energy-efficient handover; Environmental sustainability; heterogeneous wireless networks; Hypotheses; Innovations; Mobile devices; mobile networks; Networks; Power consumption; Power management; Renewable energy; Signal quality; Signal strength; Sustainability; sustainable network management
• ISSN: 2224-2708; 2224-2708
• DOI: 10.3390/jsan13050051

In the era of pervasive mobile and heterogeneous networks, maintaining seamless connectivity during handover events while minimizing energy consumption is paramount. Traditional handover mechanisms prioritize metrics such as signal strength, user mobility, and network load, often neglecting the critical aspect of energy consumption. This study presents a novel approach to handover decision-making in mobile networks by incorporating energy-related metrics, such as battery level, energy consumption rate, and environmental context, to make informed handover decisions that balance connectivity quality and energy efficiency. Unlike traditional methods that primarily focus on signal strength and network load, our approach addresses the critical need for energy efficiency, particularly in high-mobility scenarios. This innovative framework not only enhances connectivity but also significantly improves power consumption management, offering a more sustainable solution for modern mobile networks. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed solution in reducing energy usage without compromising network performance. The results reveal significant improvements in energy savings for mobile devices, especially under high-mobility scenarios and varying network conditions. By prioritizing energy-efficient handovers, our approach not only extends the battery life of mobile devices but also contributes to the overall sustainability of mobile networks. This paper underscores the importance of incorporating energy metrics into handover decisions and sets the stage for future research in energy-aware network management.